US20070207306A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20070207306A1
Application number: US11/681,855
Authority: US
Inventors: Scott Broughton; R. Douglas Evans; Timothy Ray McMillen
Original assignee: New Pig Corp
Current assignee: New Pig Corp
Priority date: 2006-03-03
Filing date: 2007-03-05
Publication date: 2007-09-06
Also published as: WO2007103852A1

Abstract

An expandable liquid barrier having an expandable layer attached to an adhesive layer is disclosed. The barrier provides constant containment without restricting access or creating a hazard in an area. The barrier is generally low profile like a length of tape until contacted by a liquid. Once in contact with a liquid the barrier expands and provides containment of the liquid. One means for expanding the barrier in the presence of liquid is to provide an expandable fill, such as super absorbent polymer, between the layers. Other means for releasing expanding the barrier include using a water-soluble adhesive to hold a resilient expanding layer and providing contracting section which increases the profile of the barrier. The barrier may be used in combination with a switch to enable reaction to the spill.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/779,350, filed Mar. 3, 2006, which is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to containment and barriers for liquid spills.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Curbs, barriers and berms often serve as containment for spilled liquids. These structures are often arranged to contain a liquid within the barrier or divert a liquid away to a more desirable location. Often the barriers are temporarily installed and removed when no longer needed. However, permanent structures are sometimes used where a recurring need exists.

Temporary barriers, such as berms, dykes or absorbent socks, can contain a spill or leak but must be installed to do so. Often it is the case that the leak or spill has occurred uncontained for some time before the temporary barriers are installed. This creates a much larger spill than would have occurred with a permanently installed barrier. Permanently installed barriers adequately provide constant containment. However, the permanent barriers also constantly project upward from the floor. This arrangement is usually undesirable because these structures create a trip hazard. Furthermore, the structures often create an impediment to wheeled traffic.

The present invention has been developed in view of the foregoing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an expandable liquid barrier having an expandable layer attached to an adhesive layer. The barrier provides constant containment without restricting access or creating a hazard in an area. The barrier is generally low profile, like a length of tape, until contacted by a liquid. Once in contact with a liquid the barrier expands and provides containment of the liquid. One means for expanding the barrier in the presence of liquid is to provide an expandable fill, such as super absorbent polymer, between the layers. Other means for releasing expanding the barrier include using a water-soluble adhesive to hold a resilient expanding layer and providing contracting section which increases the profile of the barrier. The barrier may be used in combination with a switch to enable reaction to the spill.

One aspect of the present invention provides an expandable liquid barrier comprising an adhesive layer attached to a base surface, an expanding layer attached to the adhesive layer and an expandable fill disposed between the adhesive layer and the expanding layer, wherein liquid contact with the expandable fill causes the expandable fill to swell.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an expandable liquid barrier comprising an adhesive layer attached to a base surface, an expanding layer attached to the adhesive layer comprising a resilient material and soluble adhesive, the expanding layer folded upon itself and restrained in a low profile position by the water-soluble adhesive, whereby liquid contact with the barrier causes the soluble adhesive to dissolve releasing the resilient expanding layer.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an expandable liquid barrier comprising an adhesive layer attached to a base surface, a contracting section connected to the adhesive layer and adjacent the base surface, an expanding layer attached to the contracting section, whereby liquid contact with the contracting section causes the contracting section to shrink which bends and increases the profile of the expanding layer.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an expandable liquid barrier comprising an adhesive layer attached to a base surface, an expanding layer attached to the adhesive layer and means for expanding and heightening the barrier when the barrier is contacted by a liquid.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for containing a leaking or spilled liquid comprising the steps of providing an expandable, low profile barrier which expands upon contact with the spilled or leaking liquid and affixing the expandable, low profile barrier to a base surface.

These and other aspects will become more apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a perspective view of an expanding liquid barrier according to one embodiment of the present invention showing the low profile configuration of the barrier when liquid is not present and the expanded configuration when liquid contacts the barrier.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a cross-section of an expanding liquid barrier according to one embodiment of the present invention showing the adhesive layer, expanding layer and expanding fill.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an expanding liquid barrier according to one embodiment of the present invention showing the front and rear longitudinal edges and the permeable and impermeable sections of the expanding layer wherein apertures are provided to create permeability.

FIG. 4 illustrate a top view of an expanding liquid barrier according to another embodiment of the present invention showing the front and rear longitudinal edges and the permeable and impermeable sections of the expanding layer wherein the permeable section liquid pervious without apertures.

FIG. 5A illustrates a top view of an expanding liquid barrier according to one embodiment of the present wherein the expanding layer is affixed to the adhesive layer at the rear longitudinal edge and the barrier is open at the front longitudinal edge.

FIG. 5B illustrates a front view of the barrier shown inFIG. 5A further showing the expandable fill and flexible members.

FIG. 5C illustrates a front view of the barrier shown inFIG. 5B showing the barrier's configuration when liquid is present.

FIG. 5D illustrates a side view of the barrier shown inFIG. 5C.

FIG. 6A illustrates illustrate a cross-section of an expanding liquid barrier according to one embodiment of the present invention having a resilient expanding layer held in a low profile position by water soluble absorbent.

FIG. 6B illustrates the barrier of6A when liquid is present.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a cross-section of an expanding liquid barrier having a contracting section which increases the profile of the expanding section when liquid is present according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrates a cross-section of an expanding liquid barrier used in combination with a switch according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates how the expandable liquid barrier may serve to divert a liquid to a receptacle or drain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now toFIG. 1A, an expandingliquid barrier1 is shown according to one embodiment of the present invention. The expandingliquid barrier1 is substantially flat and low profile when no liquid is present. Thebarrier1 preferably has tape-like or narrow sheet-like geometry. Whenliquid2 contacts thebarrier1, thebarrier1 heightens to create abarrier1 or dyke as shown inFIG. 1B.

According to one embodiment of the present invention shown ifFIGS. 2A and 2B, thebarrier1 may include anadhesive layer10 which holds the barrier to abase surface3. Thebase surface3 may be any surface which may benefit from a barrier of this type, for example, a floor, walkway, entranceway, lab table, equipment platform or other surface. In one embodiment theadhesive layer10 is a one-sided tape. Theadhesive layer10 has abottom face11 and atop face12. Thebottom face11 is adhered to thebase surface3. Thebottom face11 ofadhesive layer10 prevents horizontal and vertical movement of thebarrier1. Thebottom face11 also creates a seal preventing liquid from passing under thebarrier1. Thetop face12 is opposite the bottom face on the adhesive layer and is connected to an expandinglayer20. The expandinglayer20 is affixed to thetop surface12 of theadhesive layer10 along a longitudinal edge of the barrier at afront end5 andrear end6. The expandinglayer20 may be affixed to theadhesive layer10 by adhesive or by mechanical seal. The expandinglayer20 may be made of two or more sections, a liquidpermeable section40 and liquidimpermeable section30. Theimpermeable layer30 may be made from any liquid impervious material, for example, vinyl, rubber, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), materials found under the tradename Sanoprene, polyethylene and polypropylene. Thepermeable section40 may be made of perforated sheet and solid materials and woven and non-woven materials. Thepermeable layer40 may be made from a material which allows fluid to pass through like a woven material or the liquidpermeable layer40 may be what is considered an impermeable material with various holes throughout the segment to allow liquid to pass as seen inFIG. 3.

Again referring toFIGS. 2A and 2B, anexpandable fill50 may be disposed between theadhesive layer10 and the expandinglayer20. The expandable fill50 is capable of increasing in size or swelling when it comes in contact with a liquid. As theexpandable fill50 swells the expandinglayer20 fills and increases in height. The expandable fill50 may also absorb some amount of liquid. In one embodiment the expandable fill is a super absorbent polymer. In another embodiment theexpandable fill50 may comprise compressed sponges, foam or any other compressible absorbent. For example, Isocyanate-Based foams, Pyranyl foams, Syntactic foams, and/or Elastomeric foams may be used. Certain absorbents may be compressed through the use of a water-soluble binder, i.e. the absorbent may be wetted with the binder compressed and dried into a thin configuration.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a section ofbarrier1 is shown. The arrow indicates the direction from which liquid would approach thebarrier1. In a preferred orientation, thepermeable section40 is positioned nearest the approach of the fluid. In this embodiment,permeable section40 is typically made from the same material asimpermeable section30. Thepermeable section40 allows fluid to pass by way ofapertures41.

Referring now toFIG. 4, the same preferred arrangement is shown with the permeable section nearest the approach of fluid. However, in this embodiment, thepermeable section40 andimpermeable section30 comprise different materials. Theimpermeable section30 comprising a material impervious to the flow of liquid while thepermeable section40 utilizes and inherently permeable material to allow liquid to pass. Theimpermeable section30 andpermeable section40 are joined by any common means.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 5A-5D, thebarrier1 includes anadhesive layer10 affixed at one end to an expandinglayer20. The expandinglayer20 includes only animpermeable section30. The expandinglayer20 andadhesive layer10 open at one end but are connected byflexible members21. Theflexible members21 allow the expanding layer to open partially but not fully. For example, theflexible members21 may restrict opening of the expandinglayer20 to less than 90°. As seen inFIG. 5B expandable fill50 is disposed between the expandinglayer20 andadhesive layer10. The expandable fill50 swells when in contact with a liquid causing the expandinglayer20 to lift at its open end. The expandinglayer20 raises until theflexible members21 are fully extended, as shown inFIG. 5C andFIG. 5D.Flexible members21 may be made of any suitable material, which is flexible yet, substantially inelastic.

Another embodiment of an expanding liquid barrier according to the present invention is shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B. In this embodiment thebarrier1 has anadhesive layer10 affixed to the floor and an expandinglayer20. The expandinglayer20 is made of an impermeable and highly resilient material, for example, rubber, ABS, materials found under the tradename Sanoprene, polyethylene, and polypropylene. As seen inFIG. 6A, theexpandable layer20 is held in a generally flat and low profile configuration by being compressed and held together with a water-soluble adhesive22. When a water basedliquid2 comes into contact with thebarrier1 the watersoluble adhesive22 dissolves and releases the expanding layer so that the liquid may be contained as seen inFIG. 6B. The watersoluble adhesive22 may be, for example, cellulose ether, polyvinylpyrrolidone, or polyvinyl alcohol. It is also contemplated that thesoluble adhesive22 may be oil based where thebarrier1 is used to contain oil based liquids. Suitable oil soluble adhesives include, for example, Ethoxylated nonylphenol and Transitions metal alkyl sulfonates.

Referring now toFIGS. 7A and 7B, an expandingliquid barrier1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, thebarrier1 has anadhesive layer10 affixed to the floor. Adjacent theadhesive layer10 is acontracting portion25 also adjacent the floor. The expandinglayer20 is affixed at its ends to thecontracting portion25 as shown inFIG. 7A. In one embodiment the expandinglayer20 may have a front end attached to thecontract section25 and a rear end attached to theadhesive layer10. The expandinglayer20 may be wholly made of liquid impermeable material or may have a portion which is permeable nearest the approach of the liquid2 to be contained. When liquid2 comes into contact with thecontracting portion25, thecontracting portion25 shrinks along dimension D is shown inFIGS. 7A and 7B. As thecontracting portion25 decreases along dimension D, the expandinglayer20 raises to contain theliquid2 as shown inFIG. 7B.

Referring now toFIGS. 8A and 8B, aswitch60 may be incorporated with thebarrier1. The switch may be mounted so that theswitch60 is in one position when noliquid2 is present and thebarrier1 is in a substantially flat arrangement. When liquid2 is present thebarrier1 expands and activates theswitch60 as shown inFIG. 8B. The expandingbarrier1 and associated activation ofswitch60 may send a signal to an alarm such as an audible alarm, beacon, strobe light or other indicator to alert personnel that a leak has been detected. It is also contemplated that theswitch60 could be tied into other equipment such as automatic valves, pumps, etc to stop the flow of liquid. This communication may be direct or through a computer or PLC. While theswitch60 shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B is a standard limit switch affixed with ametal lever61 andwheel62, it is contemplated that theswitch60 may be of any type suitable for this application. For example, theswitch60 could be a plunger type, proximity switch or other suitable switch.

Referring now toFIG. 9, a beneficial aspect of the present invention is illustrated. While it should be apparent that the expandingbarrier1 may provide containment it should also be appreciated that thebarrier1 may also be used as a diverter of liquid. The expanding barrier may be installed around acontainer70 or other spill source, such as piping or equipment. Under normal conditions thebarrier1 is low profile and not an obstacle or impediment to pedestrian or wheeled traffic. However, it will be appreciated that should a leak in the container develop, the barrier will expand and divert the liquid to thedrain80 or other receptacle.

Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of the present invention may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An expandable liquid barrier comprising:

an adhesive layer attached to a base surface;

an expanding layer attached to the adhesive layer; and

an expandable fill disposed between the adhesive layer and the expanding layer,

wherein liquid contact with the expandable fill causes the expandable fill to swell.

2. The expandable liquid barrier ofclaim 1 wherein the expandable fill is a super absorbent polymer.

3. The expandable liquid barrier ofclaim 1 wherein the expandable fill is a compressed sponge.

4. The expandable liquid barrier ofclaim 1 wherein the expandable fill is foam.

5. The expandable liquid barrier ofclaim 1 wherein the adhesive layer is a one-sided tape.

6. The expandable liquid barrier ofclaim 1 wherein a separate adhesive secures the adhesive layer to the base surface.

7. The expandable liquid barrier ofclaim 1 wherein the barrier has a front longitudinal edge and a rear longitudinal edge, wherein the expanding layer is attached to the adhesive layer along the front longitudinal edge and the rear longitudinal edge.

8. The expandable liquid barrier ofclaim 1 wherein the barrier has a front longitudinal edge and a rear longitudinal edge, wherein the expanding layer is directly attached to the adhesive layer along the rear longitudinal edge, wherein the expanding layer is secured to the adhesive layer along front longitudinal edge by way of flexible members.

9. An expandable liquid barrier comprising:

an adhesive layer attached to a base surface; and

an expanding layer attached to the adhesive layer comprising a resilient material and soluble adhesive, the expanding layer folded upon itself and restrained in a low profile position by the water-soluble adhesive;

whereby liquid contact with the barrier causes the soluble adhesive to dissolve releasing the resilient expanding layer.

10. The expandable liquid barrier ofclaim 9 wherein the liquid is water-based and the soluble adhesive is selected from the group consisting of cellulose ether, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and polyvinyl alcohol.

11. The expandable liquid barrier ofclaim 9 wherein the liquid is oil-based and the soluble adhesive is Ethoxylated nonylphenol or a Transition metal alkyl sulfonate.

12. An expandable liquid barrier comprising:

an adhesive layer attached to a base surface;

a contracting section connected to the adhesive layer and adjacent the base surface; and

an expanding layer attached to the contracting section;

whereby liquid contact with the contracting section causes the contracting section to shrink which bends and increases the profile of the expanding layer.

13. An expandable liquid barrier comprising:

an adhesive layer attached to a base surface;

an expanding layer attached to the adhesive layer; and

means for expanding and heightening the barrier when the barrier is contacted by a liquid.

14. The expandable liquid barrier ofclaim 13 further comprising a switch in communication with the barrier, whereby the barrier activates a switch when liquid is present.

15. The expandable liquid barrier ofclaim 13 wherein the expandable liquid barrier provides containment of a liquid.

16. The expandable liquid barrier ofclaim 13 wherein the expandable liquid barrier diverts the liquid to a receptacle or drain.

17. A method for containing a leaking or spilled liquid comprising the steps of:

providing an expandable, low profile barrier which expands upon contact with the spilled or leaking liquid; and

affixing the expandable, low profile barrier to a base surface.